PUNJAB CM VISITS HISTORIC SRI PATNA SAHIB GURDWARA TO PAY RESPECTS TO 10TH SIKH GURU

PUNJAB CM VISITS HISTORIC SRI PATNA SAHIB GURDWARA TO PAY RESPECTS TO 10TH SIKH GURU

Nabaz-e-Punjab Bureau, Patna, December 22:
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday visited the holy Takht Sri Patna Sahib Gurdwara to pay his respects on the occasion of the 350th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.
The Chief Minister went directly from the airport to Gurdwara Sahib, where he was welcomed by Patna Sahib Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, before being escorted into the sanctum sanctorum.
Inside the sanctum sanctorum, the Chief Minister was greeted by Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, who honoured Captain Amarinder with a `siropa’ and a `kirpan’. The Chief Minister was also presented with shawls as a mark of respect.
Expressing pleasure at being in the presence of the Guru, the Chief Minister sought his blessings and paid his respects, amid calls of `Bole So Nihal’ and ‘Wahe Guru Ji Da Khalsa….”. Captain Amarinder partook the `karah prasad’ on what he described as a historical occasion.
The Sikhs Saints at the Gurdwara narrated to the Chief Minister some important episodes of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s life, which explained the importance of Sri Patna Sahib. Captain Amarinder was also shown the rare `shastras’ (weapons) used by Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Interacting briefly with the media, the Chief Minister said he was extremely happy at being at Gurdwara Sahib for the second time (he had last visited Sri Patna Sahib in January this year). It was a rare opportunity since it was the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Sahib, said the Chief Minister, adding that he would not be around to enjoy such a `darshan’ on the 400th anniversary of the Dashmesh Pita at his birth place.
Pointing out that pilgrims from the world over had converged at Patna Sahib on this auspicious occasion, Captain Amarinder said three train loads of devotees from Punjab would also be arriving tomorrow to participate in the anniversary celebrations of the 10th Guru on 24th December. He himself would attend the celebrations on the historic day at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
The Chief Minister said he was impressed with the arrangements made by the state government to commemorate the great day to mark the 350th birth anniversary celebrations.
To a question about political conferences held at religious events, the Chief welcomed the decision of various parties in Punjab to cancel their conferences at the Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib. It was important to commemorate the sacrifice of the Sahebzadas and mother of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji on this important occasion, he said, adding that there were many other occasions and places to engage in politics.
The Chief Minister later visited the `tent city’ on the Bypass Road, where accommodation arrangements have been made for the devotees visiting Patna Sahib. Captain Amarinder also enjoyed `langar’ at the `tent city’ with the sangat and pangat.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his grandson Nirvan Singh, along with his Media Advisor Raveen Thukral, Advisor BIS Chahal, MLA Rana Sodhi and former MLA and senior party leader,Kewal Singh Dhillon.